[Have Plenty]

Have Mercy

Every family had their ups and downs but they could conquer any downfall, with love, unity and mercy.

Mercy was the key. Delaney believed that.

For her last two months of pregnancy, she was on bed rest. The baby's amniotic sac had a slight tear in it and Delaney had to practically be a statue to keep from having to have a c-section over a month early.

Florian AND Alex were at her every beck and call. One out of fear, and the other out of guilt. Alex still hadn't forgiven himself and every day, he thought he was at risk of being sent back to Mrs. Willow so he was on his best behavior.

The tables turned and he was closer to Delaney now but he still liked Florian. They still got along but sometimes it felt like they were both walking on eggshells around one another. Some days he felt like Florian was mad at him, no matter how good he was.

Alex was starting school in his new district next week and he was nervous. His last school wasn't exactly all sunshine and rainbows. He was teased a lot and his foster mother was the cause of most of it. He knew Delaney and Florian would make sure he got to school on time, clean and fed with nice clothes and even a good lunch (in a lunch box set he picked out at Target). He wasn't worried about that.

He was worried about the bullies who teased him because he was small and quiet, and it didn't help that he wore glasses, now. He'd just gotten them when Delaney noticed he squinted a lot when reading. He was really excited about them but now he thought about shoving them in his book-bag before he walked into school...just to lighten the blow.

Alex laid next to Delaney in her and Florian's bed. His small hand resting on top of her belly as he played a secret game with the baby inside her. He'd press his lips to her bump, whisper random words and wait for him to kick in response. He did it every time– twice when he made silly noises.

"You excited to be a big brother?" Delaney chuckled, watching Alex.

He looked up at her with bright eyes, his glasses created a little glare over his dark brown eyes.

"I'm his big brother?"

"Well, yeah! Mateo's gonna need a brother to look out for him and protect him. Aaaaand we figured...." Delaney rolled her head, looking up the ceiling, shrugging  as she made a farting noise with her mouth.

"since you're here, you could do the job. I mean you've been doing amazing taking care of me so, I don't know."

"I- I can be his big brother." He nodded, rapidly, looking at her with wide eyes.

Delaney laughed and pulled him into a hug.

"Good." She kissed his forehead and changed the channel on the TV.

They'd come so far in only two months. They started going to family counseling, and Delaney and Florian even attended a bi-weekly adoptive parent support group. They weren't where they wanted to be but Alex was at a point now where he was okay when Florian wasn't home or when Delaney wasn't where he thought she was in the house.

At the parent support groups there was a play room next door that kept him occupied for the hour and a half long meeting. He was allowed to peek in the window to see them when he got anxious.

Neither of them thought Alex was quite ready to meet their friends and family, although both families were excited to meet him in person. They'd only seen pictures via text message and social media.– with the exception being Delaney's sister and father. Her dad was coming in from Baton Rouge to take care of her, help Florian, and above all– meet his new grandsons.

The maternity photos the new family took with Alex ended up going viral and Delaney and Florian's phones rang nonstop  until they made a statement via Instagram asking for patience and privacy while they bonded with their son AND prepared for their new bundle of joy. Most people were understanding and if they weren't...well they weren't the ones who mattered anyway.